Folding table

ABSTRACT

A folding table includes two top panels, two leg supports pivotally engaged with the bottom side of the top panels, and two foldable linkage means pivotally engaged with the top panels and linkage means. The leg supports are pivotally engaged through two first hinge elements. The top panels, leg supports, and linkage means are movable synchronously for extending the table for use or folding the table for storing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a folding table that is capable ofextending for use and folding for storing and has high safety, stabilityand convenience.

[0002] Contemporary product design trends have heavily focused onconvenience and flexibility. This is especially true for householdproducts, as living space has become smaller for many families becauseof growing population and scarce land availability. In order to maintaindesired living quality at a smaller house space, people want householdproducts have maximum applicability. Hence many household products aredesigned and made for multiple functionality, easy to store and use, andhigh flexibility. For instance, there are many types of table on themarket, including fixed type, detachable type, assembly type and foldingtype.

[0003]FIG. 1 shows a conventional folding type table which includes atable top A supported by two pivotally engaged legs A1 and A2. When tofold for storing, press one end of the table top A and push the legs A1and A2 closing towards each other, the table top A will become normal tothe ground to facilitate storing.

[0004] Although the foregoing construction is easy to fold the table, ithas safety concerns. For instance, during folding process, if userspress the table with too much force or kick the table legs incidentally,it could cause injury to people, particularly to children who areplaying around. As the folded table top is located at one side of thefolded legs, it also result in uneven distribution of the weight of thetable and is prone to topple easily. Users have to take great care touse and store.

[0005] Hence there are still rooms for improvement for making thefolding table safer and more flexible and convenient to use and storefor achieving better space utilization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In view of aforesaid disadvantages, it is therefore an object ofthis invention to provide an improved folding table that is easier toextend and fold, and has greater safety, stability and convenience.

[0007] To attain the foregoing object, the folding table of thisinvention includes two leg supports located beneath two top panels and afoldable linkage means such that the table may be extended for use orfolded for storage conveniently with enhanced safety and stability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The invention, as well as its many advantages, may be furtherunderstood by the following detailed description and drawings, in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional folding table.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of this invention.

[0011]FIG. 3A is a schematic view of this invention at an extendingstage.

[0012]FIG. 3B is a schematic view of this invention at another extendingstage.

[0013]FIG. 4A is a schematic view of this invention at a folding stage.

[0014]FIG. 4B is a schematic view of this invention at another foldingstage.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top view of a linkage means of thisinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3B, the folding table according to thisinvention constitutes two top panels 1 and 1′, two support beams 10 and10′ located beneath the top panels 1 and 1′, and two leg supports 2 and2′ pivotally and respectively engaged with the support beams 10 and 10′.The leg supports 2 and 2′ include two first hinge elements 21 and 21′ atone end pivotally engaged with each other and two foot pads 22 and 22′at another end each has an anti-skid corrugated rib bottom 221 and 221′.The support beams 10 and 10′ further pivotally engage with two sets offoldable linkage means 3 and 3′. At the juncture of the top panels 1 and1′, there are two mating openings 11 and 11′ for holding a parasol (notshown in the drawings) to enable the table for leisure use.

[0017] The linkage means 3 and 3′ include respectively a first link 31,31′; a second link 32, 32′; a third link 33, 33′; and a fourth link 34,34′. The second links 32, 32′ and third links 33, 33′ are bridgedrespectively and transversely by two stretchers 35 and 35′ so that thetwo linkage means 3 and 3′ may be moved synchronously. Two adjacentlinks are pivotally engaged by a second hinge element 36. The pivotalends of the second links 32, 32′ and third links 33, 33′ formrespectively butt ends 321′, 321′, 331, 331′ and slant lugs 322, 322′,332, 332′ (as shown in FIG. 5). The slant lugs 322, 322′, 332, 332′ arepivotally engaged through another second hinge element 36. The secondlinks 32, 32′ and third links 33, 33′ are pivotally engaged with the legsupports 2 and 2′. Hence the leg supports 2 and 2′ are able to movesynchronously with the linkage means 3 and 3′.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, when this invention is underextending, move the top panels 1 and 1′ outwards, the leg supports 2 and2′, and linkage means 3 and 3′ will be moved synchronously through thelinkage relationship set forth above. When the top panel 1 and 1′ aremoved at a horizontal level, the butt ends 321′, 321′, 331, 331′ arepressing against one another to form a usage state.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5, when this invention is forfolding, move the top panels 1 and 1′ slightly upwards and outwards toseparate the butt ends 321, 321′, 331, and 331′, the lugs 322, 322′, 332and 332′ will press against one another for the top panels 1 and 1′folding inwards toward each other, and through the linkage relationshipof the leg supports 2, 2′ and linkage means 3 and 3′ to become a foldedstate for storing.

[0020] By means of aforesaid construction, the table may be extended foruse or folded for storage conveniently with enhanced safety andstability.

What is claimed is:
 1. A folding table, comprising: two top panels; twoleg supports pivotally engaged with the bottom side of the top panels,and pivotally engaged with each other through two first hinge elements;and two foldable linkage means pivotally engaged with the top panels andleg supports; wherein the top panels, leg supports and linkage means aremovable synchronously for extending the table for use and folding thetable for storing.
 2. The folding table of claim 1, wherein the linkagemeans include first links, second links, third links and fourth links,the links being pivotally engaged with each other through a second hingeelement.
 3. The folding table of claim 2, wherein the second links andthird links have respectively a butt end and a slant lug, the lugs beingpivotally engaged with one another through another second hinge element.4. The folding table of claim 1, wherein the top panels haverespectively an opening located at the juncture therebetween for holdinga parasol.
 5. The folding table of claim 1, wherein the linkage meansare bridged respectively by means of a transverse stretcher.
 6. Thefolding table of claim 1, wherein the leg supports have respectively afoot pad located at the bottom end thereof.
 7. The folding table ofclaim 6, wherein the foot pad has an anti-skid rib bottom.